Your Second Chance to See the World
Living with a Heartmate 3 LVAD is a bit like being given a superpower. It’s a second chance at life that keeps you going against the odds. But with that power comes a new set of rules, and it’s easy to feel like one of those rules is “stay safe at home.”
I was recently reminded of the importance of living fully when a gentleman from our LVAD group who had his LVAD for over 10 years passed away. But he did so while on vacation, exploring the world. There’s a bittersweet beauty in that—he didn’t let his LVAD define his boundaries. He lived.
That story is a powerful reminder that this journey isn’t just about survival and batteries; it’s about thriving. It’s about getting back out there and doing what you love with the people you love. For my parents, that’s always been seeing the world together. This guide is for them, and for you. It’s about turning that dream trip into a reality, not by ignoring the risks, but by planning for them so you can travel with confidence and peace of mind.
The key isn’t to be fearless, but to be prepared. The single most important step is choosing a destination where you know expert help is within reach. Your Heartmate 3 isn’t something the average emergency room can handle. You need a specialized team. I found it better to just search for LVAD Clinics and teams around the world. In Australia, VAD is a totally different type of vacation, so be careful with that, mate.
I’m still adding to the list. Feel free to use the comment section to add your own if you’ve had a good or a bad experience.
The Smart Traveler’s Protocol: A Quick Pre-Flight Briefing
While the heart of this guide is the destination directory, no trip begins without a solid plan. We’ll do a deep dive into building the perfect LVAD travel kit in a future post, but for now, here are the absolute essentials for your pre-flight checklist.
Phase 1: Mission Planning (1-2 Months Before Travel)
- Team Huddle: Schedule a planning session with your home LVAD team. They are your mission control and must give the green light for any travel.
- Map Your Destination: Use the directory below to pick a primary (and maybe a backup) medical center at your destination.
- Make First Contact: Have your VAD coordinator call your chosen international center to confirm they can support a traveling Heartmate 3 patient.
- Verify Your Coverage: Get written confirmation from your health or travel insurance provider about your coverage policies for your destination.
Phase 2: Final Preparations (2-4 Weeks Before Travel)
- Get Your “Doctor’s Note”: Obtain a formal letter from your cardiologist detailing your condition. This is non-negotiable for airport security. (See Appendix A for a template).
- Assemble Your Go-Bag: All LVAD equipment, backup components, and a surplus of supplies must be packed in your carry-on luggage. Never check it.
- Power Up: Inspect all your gear. Pack enough fully charged batteries, your charger, and the correct international power adapters for your destination.
Critical Airport Security Note: You cannot go through airport metal detectors or body scanners. They can interfere with your pump. You must show security agents your device ID card and your doctor’s letter and request a manual hand search.
Global VAD Support Network: A Comprehensive Directory
This directory is structured to provide rapid access to critical information. Each entry has been researched to provide the most specific contact details available for the VAD or Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) program, rather than general hospital information. This is a directory of pre-vetted “safe harbors” around the globe, empowering you to explore with a safety net in place.
Before traveling, it is strongly recommended that patients:
- Identify a primary and secondary hospital from this list in or near their destination.
- Contact the hospital’s VAD program or International Patient Office via the provided email address. This proactive communication can establish a point of contact and allow the center to be aware of a VAD patient in their vicinity.
- Save the direct VAD program phone numbers. Note that some centers provide 24/7 coordinator hotlines, which are invaluable in an emergency.
- Share this list with traveling companions and keep a printed copy with VAD equipment.
Google Sheets Reference:
| Hospital / Program Name | City | Country | Summary & Highlights | Phone | Weblink | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKH Medical University of Vienna | Vienna | Austria | One of Europe’s largest and most successful programs, pioneering the clinical use of modern rotational pumps since 1998. | +43 1 40400 62780 | https://innere-med-2.meduniwien.ac.at/unsere-abteilungen/kardiologie/ambulanzen/herzinsuffizienz/ | |
| Barts Heart Centre | London | UK | Pioneer in using LVADs for destination therapy for patients ineligible for transplant. One of Europe’s largest cardiac centers. | +44 203 765 8611 | bhnt.icvd@nhs.net | https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/news/spotlight-on-the-lvad-programme-at-st-bartholomews-hospital-7329 |
| Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC) | Berlin | Germany | World’s largest artificial heart program. Global leader in HeartMate 3 LVAD implantations (>500) with over 3,700 total implants. | +49 30 4593 2222 | einbestellung@dhzc-charite.de | https://www.dhzc.charite.de/kliniken/cvk-chirurgie/ambulanz/ |
| Deutsches Herzzentrum München | Munich | Germany | Does not explicitly list a VAD program; direct inquiry is required to confirm VAD services. | +49 89 1218 4005 | ekambulanz@dhm.mhn.de | https://www.deutsches-herzzentrum-muenchen.de/klinik-fuer-herz-und-kreislauferkrankungen/ambulanzen/ |
| Foothills Medical Centre | Calgary | Canada | Offers VADs for a comprehensive range of indications, including bridge to transplant, bridge to recovery, and destination therapy. | 403 944 5135 | https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/Service.aspx?id=1073660&serviceAtFacilityID=1133299 | |
| Hannover Medical School (MHH) | Hannover | Germany | Major research-oriented program with extensive publications on LVADs, including five-year outcomes for the HeartMate 3. | +49 511 532 3453 | schmitto.jan@mh-hannover.de | https://www.mhh.de/herz-thorax-transplantations-gefaesschirurgie |
| Harefield Hospital | London | UK | UK’s largest VAD program by volume and the only UK center implanting LVADs using a minimally invasive surgical approach. | 01895 823 737 | https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/our-services/left-ventricular-assist-device-lvad | |
| Heart & Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) | Bad Oeynhausen | Germany | Pioneering VAD program with 24/7 coordinator access. Manages over 230 VAD patients and is certified for all common VAD systems. | +49 5731 97 1299 | international@hdz-nrw.de | https://www.hdz-nrw.de/kliniken-institute/kliniken/klinik-fuer-thorax-und-kardiovaskularchirurgie/funktionsbereiche/ambulante-versorgung/vad-ambulanz.html |
| Heart Center Leipzig | Leipzig | Germany | High-volume center implanting ~50 artificial hearts annually. Has experience with Total Artificial Heart (TAH) implantation. | +49 30 6832 3885 | Michael.Borger@helios-gesundheit.de | https://www.helios-international.com/hospitals/heart-center-leipzig/ |
| IKEM Prague | Prague | Czech Rep. | The largest cardiovascular center in the Czech Republic; participates in the development and implantation of HeartMate supports. | +420 23 605 5400 | ivan.netuka@ikem.cz | https://guardheart.ern-net.eu/ern-guard-heart/full-members/czech-republic/ikem/ |
| National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) | Singapore | Singapore | The nation’s only heart transplant program, with an integrated Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) and Transplant Unit. | (65) 6704 8130 | transplant.office@nhcs.com.sg | https://www.nhcs.com.sg/allied-health-services/mechanical-circulatory-support-heart-lung-transplant-unit.html |
| National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) | Taipei | Taiwan | Pioneer in advanced cardiac care with senior-level expertise in VAD and heart transplantation. | +886 2 2356 2900 | ntuhimsc@ntuh.gov.tw | https://www.ntuh.gov.tw/surg/Fpage.action?fid=354 |
| Osaka University Hospital | Osaka | Japan | Certified facility for both pediatric and adult VADs and heart transplants. Positions itself as the last bastion for severe heart failure. | +81 6 6879 5111 | https://www.hosp.med.osaka-u.ac.jp/english/departments/heartcenter.html | |
| Royal Papworth Hospital | Cambridge | UK | National leader in LVAD outcomes, reporting the UK’s highest rate of bridging patients to transplant (41%) and best 3-year survival (92.2%). | +44 1223 638000 | papworth.charity@nhs.net | https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-hospital/latest-news/royal-papworth-leading-field-mechanical-circulatory-support |
| Samsung Medical Center (SMC) | Seoul | S. Korea | A national leader, first in Korea to implant the HeartMate 3 LVAD and has performed over 200 LVAD surgeries. | +82 2 3410 0200 | ihs.smc@samsung.com | https://www.samsunghospital.com/gb/language/m_english/departments/departmentsViewFix.do?DP_CD=HCT |
| St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney | Sydney | Australia | The only heart and lung transplant program in New South Wales (NSW); primarily uses VADs as a bridge to transplant. | (02) 8382 3150 | SVHS.HeartLungClinic@svha.org.au | https://www.svhhearthealth.com.au/procedures/procedures-treatments/ventricular-assists-devices-vads |
| St. Paul’s Hospital Vancouver | Vancouver | Canada | The sole provider of VAD implantations and heart transplants for the entire province of British Columbia. | +1 604 806 8602 | IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca | https://www.providencehealthcare.org/en/health-services/services/surgery-procedures-treatment/heart-transplant |
| The Alfred Hospital | Melbourne | Australia | Features a dedicated VAD Clinic with clear patient resources and a comprehensive care model. | (03) 9076 3263 | https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/services/ventricular-assist-device-clinic | |
| Toronto General Hospital | Toronto | Canada | Canada’s leading VAD center by volume (up to 45/year). Leader in stem cell research for heart recovery. | 1 888 846 4278 | https://www.uhn.ca/PMCC | |
| University Heart Center Freiburg | Freiburg | Germany | Research-intensive program, pioneering patient self-management for VADs through the national SELMA study. | +49 7633 4020 | info@universitaets-herzzentrum.de | https://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/heart-center.html |
| University of Tokyo Hospital | Tokyo | Japan | Japan’s largest heart transplant program, having performed over 300 implantable VAD surgeries. | +81 3 3815 5411 | international@adm.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp | https://www.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/centers-services/clinical-divisions/cardiovascular-surgery/index.html |
Germany: A Hub of VAD Innovation and Care
Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC) Berlin, Germany
The DHZC is not merely a high-volume center; it is a global epicenter for VAD therapy, operating what is described as the world’s largest and foremost program for implantable circulatory support devices. The program’s influence extends beyond patient care; it is a key site for innovation, having developed treatment methods known as the “DHZC-guidelines” that are accepted internationally. The team, led by specialists like Prof. Dr. med. Evgenij Potapov, provides training seminars and assists with complex operations worldwide. For the traveling patient, the DHZC’s infrastructure is exceptionally robust. It offers a 24-hour VAD hotline for medical or technical questions and has a dedicated international patient office with multilingual staff (German, English, Russian, Arabic, Chinese) to manage logistics from cost estimation to accommodation. The center has extensive experience with the most modern devices, including the HeartMate 3, and was a key site for its early adoption.
Email: international@dhzc-charite.de
Phone: +49 30 4593-1203
Website: https://www.dhzc.charite.de/en/
Hannover Medical School (MHH) Hannover, Germany
MHH has carved out a reputation as a leading research and development institution in the field of mechanical circulatory support. Its clinical programs for VAD and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) are well-established for treating end-stage heart failure. The institution’s forward-looking approach is evident in its research into next-generation VADs, including novel concepts like soft robotic sleeves powered by artificial muscles. For patients, MHH is renowned for developing the “Hannover technique,” a minimally invasive surgical approach for LVAD implantation that combines an upper mini-sternotomy with a mini-thoracotomy to reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, and recovery time. The Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG) operates a specific follow-up clinic for VAD patients (“VAD-Nachsorge-Sprechstunde”), providing a dedicated point of contact for ongoing care.
Phone: +49 511 532-8353
Website: https://www.mhh.de/en/httg
Heart and Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
The HDZ NRW is distinguished by its deeply patient-centric and holistic care model. A key component of its success is the VAD coordinator team, a role the center pioneered in Germany as early as 1994. This team provides an essential 24/7 point of contact for patients, ensuring round-the-clock support. The center is certified for all common VAD systems and has developed extensive expertise in post-operative management, including anticoagulation therapy and patient self-monitoring. Furthermore, HDZ NRW has embraced digital health with its “HerzConnect” program, an innovative telehealth service for remote monitoring and management of chronic heart failure patients, improving quality of life and reducing hospitalizations. This focus on long-term, accessible support makes it an exemplary model of comprehensive VAD care.
Phone: +49 5731 97-0
Website: https://www.hdz-nrw.de/en/
Heart Center Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
As part of the extensive Helios hospital network, the Heart Center Leipzig is a high-volume institution with a strong international profile. The Heart Transplantation (HTX) and VAD program is led by the highly specialized senior physician PD Dr. med. Alexey Dashkevich, ensuring expert oversight of this complex patient population. Being part of the Helios network provides a significant advantage for international patients, who can access streamlined services through the Helios International Office for assistance with travel, accommodation, and communication. The center performs thousands of cardiac operations annually and is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical facilities.
Email: international-office.leipzig@helios-gesundheit.de
Phone: +49 341 865-258 500
Website: https://www.helios-gesundheit.de/en/kliniken/leipzig-heart-center/
University Heart Center Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
Operating across two sites in Freiburg and Bad Krozingen, this center is one of the largest and most renowned in Germany. Its scale allows it to treat a high volume of patients—approximately 22,000 inpatients and 41,000 outpatients annually—with complex cardiovascular diseases. The center has a dedicated outpatient clinic for VAD patients (“VAD-Ambulanz”), providing a specialized point of care. Its comprehensive capabilities include mechanical assist devices and heart transplantation for both adult and pediatric patients, ensuring a full spectrum of advanced heart failure therapies are available.
Phone: +49 761 270-0 (Main Switchboard)
Website: https://www.herzzentrum.de/en/
United Kingdom: Leaders in Transplant and Mechanical Support
Royal Papworth Hospital Cambridge, United Kingdom
Royal Papworth is the UK’s largest and most experienced cardiothoracic transplant center. Its excellence in transplantation is directly linked to the success of its VAD program. A 2024 report from NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) highlighted the hospital’s outstanding results: 41% of its LVAD patients were successfully bridged to a heart transplant, the highest rate in the nation and more than double any other center. This demonstrates a highly effective, integrated system of care where VADs are expertly used to optimize patients for transplant. The program’s overall three-year survival rate of 92.2% after LVAD implantation is the best in the country, underscoring its clinical excellence. The hospital is also a global pioneer in Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) heart transplantation, further expanding the donor pool for its patients.
Phone: +44 (0)1223 638000
Website: https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/our-services/transplant/
Barts Heart Centre London, United Kingdom
Located at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Barts Heart Centre is the largest cardiac center in Europe, with extensive facilities including 10 theaters and over 300 cardiac beds. A key innovation at Barts is its pioneering use of LVADs for “destination therapy”—providing long-term support for patients who are not eligible for a heart transplant. This program, which can extend patients’ lives by five to six years, was established with a significant grant from Barts Charity, demonstrating a novel funding pathway for a therapy not yet commissioned on the NHS for this purpose. This focus provides a crucial lifeline for a specific subset of end-stage heart failure patients for whom transplant is not an option.
Phone: +44 (0)20 3416 5000
Website: https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/the-barts-heart-centre
Harefield Hospital London, United Kingdom
Harefield Hospital’s VAD program is one of the most established in the world, with over two decades of experience. Its most significant contribution to the field is its leadership in minimally invasive VAD surgery. Harefield is the only center in the UK that routinely implants VADs using a sternum-sparing approach, which involves two small incisions rather than a full sternotomy. This advanced technique is associated with lower infection rates, faster recovery times, and significant benefits for any subsequent surgeries, such as a heart transplant. For traveling patients, the VAD team is the designated point of contact, accessible through the main hospital switchboard.
Phone: +44 (0)1895 823737
Website: https://www.rbh-specialistcare.co.uk/our-services/harefield/heart-division
Austria and Czech Republic: Central European Expertise
AKH Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria
The Vienna General Hospital (AKH) is a cornerstone of Austria’s healthcare system and a major academic medical center. Its Department of Cardiac Surgery, led by Univ. Prof. Dr. Daniel Zimpfer, is the national hub for advanced heart failure therapies. Critically, it is the only hospital in Austria that performs heart transplantations in both children and adults. This unique position is complemented by a large program for mechanical circulatory support, providing VAD therapy for patients of all ages with terminal heart failure. The integration of pediatric and adult programs under one roof creates a seamless continuum of care and a deep well of expertise.
Phone: +43 (0)1 40400-56200 (Cardiac Surgery Dept.)
Website: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/about-us/organisation/departments/department-of-surgery/cardiac-surgery/
IKEM Prague Prague, Czech Republic
The Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) is the largest and one of the most historic cardiovascular centers in the Czech Republic. Its heart transplant program was established in 1984, and its mechanical circulatory support program was launched in 2003 to address the chronic shortage of donor organs. Today, approximately half of all heart transplant recipients at IKEM are bridged with a VAD. The program, under the leadership of Prof. Ivan Netuka, is a European center of excellence and is involved in international clinical trials for next-generation devices, such as the fully implantable FLOWMAKER®.
Phone: +420 261 361 111
Website: https://www.ikem.cz/en/
Asia-Pacific: Regional Hubs of Advanced Cardiac Care
The Alfred Hospital Melbourne, Australia
The Alfred has the most experienced VAD program in the state of Victoria and implants the highest number of devices in Australia. The program is supported by a dedicated outpatient VAD clinic that provides comprehensive follow-up care, including patient and family education, from the initial in-hospital consultation to long-term community management. The multidisciplinary team includes leading cardiothoracic surgeons and heart failure cardiologists, ensuring expert oversight of this complex patient population.
Phone: +61 (03) 9076 3274 (VAD Service)
Website: https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/services/cardiology/ventricular-assist-device-vad-service
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Australia
St Vincent’s holds a historic place in Australian medicine as the site of the nation’s first heart transplant in 1968 and the establishment of the National Heart Transplant Program in 1984. It continues this legacy as the only heart and lung transplant program in New South Wales and a leader in advanced cardiac therapies. In 2024, it became the site of Australia’s first successful durable Total Artificial Heart implant, reinforcing its position at the forefront of mechanical circulatory support.
Phone: +61 (02) 8382 3150 (Heart/Lung Clinic)
Website: https://www.svhhearthealth.com.au/
The University of Tokyo Hospital Tokyo, Japan
This hospital boasts Japan’s largest and most successful heart transplant program, having performed 222 domestic transplants with a ten-year survival rate of 89%—among the best in the world. This expertise is mirrored in its VAD program, which has the most successful implantation record in Japan. A key advantage for patients is the hospital’s ability to utilize all types of VADs approved in the country, allowing for a highly personalized device selection based on the patient’s condition and physique. The program is also certified for destination therapy.
Email: international@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Phone: +81 3 5800 8630
Website: http://www.h.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/
Osaka University Hospital Osaka, Japan
Regarded as a “last bastion” for severe heart failure in Japan, Osaka University Hospital provides comprehensive care for the most complex cases. The Heart Center is certified for both VAD implantation and heart transplantation in pediatric and adult patients. It operates with a deeply integrated “heart team” approach, where cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons collaborate closely on all aspects of patient management, from preoperative conferences to ward rounds.
Phone: +81 6 6879 5942 (International Medical Center)
Website: https://www.hosp.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/
National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) Singapore
NHCS serves as a regional referral center for Southeast Asia. Its dedicated Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) and Transplant Unit provides a focused, expert service for advanced heart failure patients. The center has performed over 150 LVAD implants and has developed novel, less invasive procedures to manage device-related complications, such as using balloon and stent techniques to treat blockages in the pump’s outflow graft.
Phone: +65 6704 2000
Website: https://www.nhcs.com.sg/
Samsung Medical Center (SMC) Seoul, South Korea
SMC is a leading medical institution in South Korea, recognized for its patient-centered culture and advanced treatment centers. Its Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute is home to a strong Heart Failure Team that was the first in Korea to achieve 100 implantations of the HeartMate LVAD. This milestone signifies a deep level of experience and a well-established program for managing VAD patients.
Email: ihs.smc@samsung.com
Phone: +82 2 3410 0200
Website: https://www.samsunghospital.com/gb/language/english/main.do
National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) Taipei, Taiwan
NTUH is a pioneer in advanced life support, with extensive experience in ECMO and VAD support for patients with terminal heart diseases. Its highly experienced cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists work within a 24-hour on-call system, ensuring constant readiness for the most critical cardiac emergencies. The hospital’s International Medical Service Center provides a dedicated point of contact for overseas patients.
Email: ntuhimsc@ntuh.gov.tw
Phone: +886 2 2356 2900
Website: https://www.ntuh.gov.tw/ntuh/Fpage.action?muid=18&fid=15
North America: Pioneers in VAD Therapy
Toronto General Hospital Toronto, Canada
As part of the University Health Network’s (UHN) Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital is Canada’s leading center for both VAD therapy and heart transplantation. The Cardiovascular Surgeon’s Clinic provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for end-stage heart failure, including LVAD implantation. The center’s reputation as a national leader ensures access to the latest technologies and a high level of clinical expertise.
Phone: +1 416-340-4800 ext. 4684 (Referral line)
Website: https://www.uhn.ca/PeterMunkCardiacCentre/Clinics/Mechanical_Circulatory_Support
Foothills Medical Centre Calgary, Canada
Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary provides a comprehensive VAD service through its dedicated VAD Clinic. The program is structured to support patients across the full spectrum of VAD therapy, including as a bridge to transplant, as a bridge to decision, and as long-term destination therapy. A key feature of the program is its emphasis on community follow-up, where a multidisciplinary team including nurses, dietitians, and social workers closely monitors patients after they are discharged from the hospital.
Phone: +1 403-944-4783
Website: https://libin.ucalgary.ca/clinics/vad-clinic
St. Paul’s Hospital Vancouver, Canada
St. Paul’s Hospital is the sole provincial referral center for VAD implantation and heart transplantation in British Columbia, making it the definitive hub for the province’s advanced heart failure patients. As a core part of the integrated B.C. Acute Heart Failure Program, it is supported by a dedicated outpatient VAD clinic that provides comprehensive, lifelong follow-up. The multidisciplinary team is highly experienced in managing patients across BC’s vast geography, coordinating with local providers to support patients long-term in their home communities.
Phone: +1 604-806-8535
Website: http://www.heartcentrebc.ca/services/heart-function-clinic/
Your Journey Awaits
And there you have it—your globetrotter’s toolkit for exploring the world with confidence. Your Heartmate 3 is a masterpiece of engineering that gives you the incredible gift of each new day. While this guide is your map, your home LVAD team is your mission control. They are, and always will be, your most important partner in planning any journey. Before you book a single ticket, sit down with them, share your plans, and build a strategy together. Their expertise, combined with your preparation, is the key to a safe and successful trip.
The locations I put on this spreadsheet are just the most notable and successful LVAD programs around the world. There are thousands of other hospitals that aren’t listed here that are capable of helping in an emergency- keep that in mind and do your own checking. It will most likely take you 10 min to figure out how to dial the number, then another…
The world is full of amazing sights, sounds, and experiences. With the right preparation, there’s no reason you can’t be out there enjoying them. Pack smart, plan ahead, and travel well.
Happy globetrotting!
